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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

That's not a measurable objective; there's way too many variables. Every application is different, and the learning curve for some components are much steeper than others. In general, to develop apps, you should be familiar with some sort of language, how it compiles and interacts with the OS, its limitations, etc. You have to have an objective before you just start cranking out apps. For where you are in your learning process, I would suggest becoming very familiar with how the operating system works, and what makes your particular distribution different from others, and what is in common. It would probably behoove you to study the following:

Well, first of all you need to take your time. It will take time to be an advanced user. I don't even know what you consider a advanced user. I have been using slackware since 2003, and I'm not consider my self advanced yet. Like saikee said, "I think an advance Linux user doesn't say he/she is an advance Linux user." When you start studying and working with GNU/Linux, you will realise that its a huge topic, and you start "comparing" yourself to more experienced users.

This is not a correct way to become a advanced user, I'm not even sure if it's a good way, but it's my way. You have to be really interested in the topic and curious how things work. You could use a mainstream distro to get familiar with with the filesystem and start deprogram your brain from Microsoft. But one thing is for sure, you wont get advanced by using packetmanagers and gui-only applications.

You will most likely have to narrow your field also. Maybe you want to be a kernel hacker, a programmer, a system administrator and fokus on one of those topics. It's hard to be good at everything, although not impossible. So as you get better, learn how to install programs from sourcecode, learn how to recompile your kernel, set up a server with dhcp, dns, mail. Read howtos, spends hours reading from the Internet and tldp. Try out various distros. Try it out on other computers. I find it really educational to help others.

To summer up:
It takes time, interest, work and effort. If the interest is there, it's an "easy" and fun task. Good luck

Advanced user might not have to know how to program in Linux platform. Everybody can code, if you know how to think in logical way. Additional, many Linux "warriors" are doing that everyday, the number of such software is beyond your imagination. If you feel lack of some functionalities, google around, you will find some package is already there ready for you. To make it work, i think, that is the first step into Linux world. Another thing is that you have to say goodbye to your beatiful GUI or fancy mouse for a while. (Just kidding)

I have to say this is an interesting topic. For me, beside reading alot and using command-line and config. scripts; I found that answering questions for other newbies also helps. It refresh my knowledge and I gain more by trouble-shooting new problems.

Well I would have to agree with everyone on this topic, I've been working with Linux on a regular bases now for two year. I dabbled with it for three years prior to that. I think linux is like a ice-burg, what you see on the surface is nothing compared to what underneath. I think someone can know how to use Linux in a profitiant way and never really understand it, If you know what I mean. I will say this, I have learned more about computing working with Linux than ever with windows, I'm not bashing windows at all, so lets not let this thread run off that way. What I'm saying is, I've had to do allot more research working with Linux and therefore have learned more because of it.

saikee

Good to see ya (well you know what I mean) figured I'ld wander over hear and take a look at this forum. A bit more activity here but I think with the new changes being made at the home forum more will stop by.

They gained the knowledge freely from others over a period of time in the forums. It is logical that they don't see the knowledge being a personal property and willing to pass on to others

If they know the answer and post it the OP will save time and labor to have his/her problem solved. That is pure charity.

At a personal level a Linux user can keep up to date by posting his/her opinion on the subject. If his/her view gets challenged then he/she can improve his/her knowledge, as learning from one's mistakes is a natural learning process.

Posting also help to keep a Linux user focused. One may understand the solution but to write something out to convince others requires a higher level of the understanding of the subject. For a start if a user is not confident that his solution cover all possibilities he would have to word it carefully. He/she must give sufficient thought to the subject before writing a reply out. They are exceptions of course like "I remember seeing a solution somewhere so why not Google it"

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mrrangerman,

Nice to see you here. Apparently what we learn in the home forum proves very useful here.

That's not a measurable objective; there's way too many variables. Every application is different, and the learning curve for some components are much steeper than others. In general, to develop apps, you should be familiar with some sort of language, how it compiles and interacts with the OS, its limitations, etc. You have to have an objective before you just start cranking out apps. For where you are in your learning process, I would suggest becoming very familiar with how the operating system works, and what makes your particular distribution different from others, and what is in common. It would probably behoove you to study the following: